It is important that people show responsibility and are involved in the community where it is natural to do so, according to their own abilities and disposition. We also regard marriage and family as main pillars in a healthy, functioning society.
Marriage and family are a natural and important part of life for most people.
In the Bible God has given us many good laws that tell us how He wants us to live when it comes to these things. We believe that by living according to God's good commandments, we bring His blessing over our lives.
The choice of a spouse is a very personal and private matter. For most people it is very important to choose someone who has the same view of life and similar interests as oneself. That is why most of our young people marry within the church. When two people do find each other, they become engaged. The choice of a marriage partner is a private matter. However, the church gladly participates in the wedding celebration. The actual wedding ceremony varies in style from place to place, according to the laws of the individual countries. In some countries, the law allows a wedding ceremony to take place in the church while in other countries, civil authorities must officiate the marriage. Separate from the wedding ceremony, it is customary in the church to hold a wedding feast for the couple as well. It is an opportunity to rejoice together with the bridal couple and to encourage and strengthen the couple with messages, songs and encouraging words.
Children often are a result of marriage, and we regard each child as a precious gift from God. Our faith in the gospel also gives us faith in a good future for the children that God gives us. We believe that we really have something to offer them, and that God will give us the strength we need to give the children a good upbringing.
All parents want to give their children a good environment to grow up in, and we're no different. We do what we can to ensure that children and youth are able to develop and unfold naturally in a safe and caring environment. Our interest is to look after the precious gift that God has entrusted to us in our children. In this rewarding but demanding task, the faith and understanding of life that we receive from the word of God are a great help, hope and inspiration. The church's varied activities and caring people are also part of this work.
All children need to feel security and care, and the responsibility to provide this environment lies primarily with the parents. As mothers and fathers, we find that our obligations as parents often come in conflict with our own wishes and desires. To look after our children’s varied needs, we parents must not seek our own will at the cost of our children. Instead, we must understand what it means to be a sacrifice and to love unconditionally. Understanding this is a vital source of spiritual power for our lives.
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People are free to choose their own level of education and how they will contribute to society; the result is that we are good citizens who make positive contributions to the community.
We are committed to preserving the good values in society, and each of us is free to work toward this goal however we choose.
Our children generally attend public schools. We have many children, so we are eager to maintain a constructive and supportive relationship with the schools. Therefore, many parents are involved with the schools in a variety of ways, including being active members of the parent-teacher association, or being a class contact. We find this commitment to be very positive and beneficial for our children.
People in the church have the same level of education as that of the average general population. A person’s level of education or job choice is not the important thing; what matters is using ones abilities and talents in a sensible way. Family and church-life take priority over professional careers and positions that might create a conflict between work and family. Where to draw the line is up to each person’s discretion.
The Bible encourages us to pray for the authorities who govern our country. We have great faith in the power of prayer; answer to prayer is reality for us. Although this social involvement is hidden, it does not make it any less important.
Where applicable, young people participate in the military draft just like everyone else, and most of those who do, experience their time in the military as a time when they become more mature. They learn to stand on their own two feet and overcome harsh conditions.
We aren’t especially involved in politics; nevertheless, the developments in society, national politics, and local community issues are important to us. Most people choose to avoid working directly with political parties; however, that does not hinder them from voting in political elections if they wish.
For us, complying with the laws and regulations of the land is a matter of course; this contributes to the best interests of the country. We see it as very important to teach our children and young people to be law-abiding and responsible citizens.